Steven Fales is an actor/writer/producer best known for his solo play "Confessions of a Mormon Boy" which is now Part One in "Mormon Boy Trilogy." Steven is also a public speaker and creativity coach. www.facebook.com/fales.steven or fales.steven@gmail.com

“Before THE BOOK OF MORMON there was a MORMON BOY.” In THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY, internationally acclaimed playwright/performer Steven Fales (the original Mormon boy) brings his three autobiographical solo plays together for the first time in repertory, creating a dynamic solo performance event in the spirit of THE “MORMON” CONQUESTS. Any of the shows can be appreciated without needing to see all three. PRODIGAL DAD (Part Three) is a world premiere. The L.A. run of THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY is an out-of-town tryout preparatory to an off-Broadway engagement this fall TBA.

CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY: The Original True Story -- After excommunication, divorce, prostitution and drugs, a sixth-generation Utah Mormon reclaims his kids and ‘Donny Osmond’ smile. Told with humor, song, and The Book of Mormon. 90 min without intermission. About: A hit off Broadway (SoHo Playhouse 2006), nationally (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, etc.), and internationally (Charing Cross Theatre in London’s West End, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011, International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival 2008). Originally directed off Broadway by Tony Award Winner Jack Hofsiss, this New York International Fringe Festival phenomenon premiered in LA in 2007 at The Coast Playhouse. Opening soon in Sao Paulo, Brazil in Portuguese. "The best of the solo genre." --LA Times (Critics’ Choice), "As moving as it is funny."--NY Daily News, “Uncommonly powerful.”—Chicago Tribune, “A story that must be told.”–SF Chronicle,“Unforgettable.”—Houston Chronicle, “Feels like a sacred gift.”–Boston Globe, “*****5-stars”--Gay Times London, Brilliantly acted and beautifully written.”—Irish Daily Mail

MISSIONARY POSITION: A Coming-of-Age Tale -- This comedic prequel is based on Elder Fales' journals from his mission to Portugal. A fantastical, crowd-pleasing solo ride that takes audiences further behind the Mormon machine than ever before, including the secret Mormon temple ceremony. Contains full-frontal nudity and Mormon swearing. 90 minutes without intermission. About: A hit at the New York International Fringe Festival 2010, the play first premiered for an extended run at Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles 2009 and has been performed in Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, and Salt Lake City. "A laugh riot!"-- NYTheatre.com, "Plenty of seduction."--LA Times, "Powerful."--TimeOut New York

PRODIGAL DAD: A Manic Memoir-Meditation – This dramatic world premiere follows Fales as he fights for his life and rights as a father in Utah. As he seeks answers from his Greco-Mormon heritage, he comes face to face with his own demons and his greatest nemesis, shattering family myths and secrets in an underworld where bipolar ghosts and mortals collide. 120 min WITH intermission. About: Coached by Larry Moss and developed at readings at Abingdon Theatre and TOSOS Theatre in New York. Steven recently gave staged readings at Rising Action Theatre, Ft. Lauderdale and at the United Solo Theater Festival on Theatre Row last fall. This dramatic sequel to CONFESSIONS completes THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY.

STEVEN FALES (actor/writer/producer) recently returned from a highly acclaimed UK tour of CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at Charing Cross Theatre in London’s West End. He received a NY Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance for CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY off-Broadway, an Overall Excellence Award for Solo Show at the New York International Fringe Festival, and an Oscar Wilde Award Nomination for Outstanding New Writing for the Theatre at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. His book, CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY: Behind the Scenes of the Off-Broadway Hit was a Lambda Literary Award Finalist. His solo work includes THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY (including MISSIONARY POSITION and PRODIGAL DAD), his cabaret MORMON AMERICAN PRINCESS (Joe’s Pub), CULT!, Conversations with Heavenly Mother: An Uncommon Diva, and is working on Joseph III and another cabaret, SONGS OF MY PEOPLE (All My People). Projects currently in development also include: MORMON BOY the documentary film ,memoir, and album; The Mormon Boy Cooking Show; two plays called Sacred Strain and Cleft; a musical called, Saltair. Other stage credits: Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, Judith Shakespeare Co., Pioneer Theater Co., Coconut Grove Playhouse, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Stages St. Louis, Sundance Theatre, etc. Other credits include talk shows, commercials, mini-series, and series. He has worked with such luminaries as Elaine Stritch, Judy Kaye, Douglas Sills, Len Cariou, Will Swenson, Eden Espinoza, Michael Rupert, Moises Kaufman, etc.Activism: Fales has helped raised raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity with his work including The Point Foundation (Lincoln Center Gala Benefit) to Utah AIDS Foundation and Desert AIDS Project, among others. As a public speaker, he recently spoke to the Gay/Straight Alliance at the Phillips Academy Andover including students from Phillips Exeter Academy as well. His episode on Tyra Banks was a GLAAD Media Award Nomination. He has been on Hollywood Extra, BBC Newsnight, NPR radio stations across the country, and many magazine covers.Training: Fales works privately with acclaimed acting coach Larry Moss. He holds an MFA in acting from the University of Connecticut and a BFA in musical theatre from The Boston Conservatory/Brigham Young University. He has studied at the American Comedy Institute. Fales leads workshops in solo performances across the country. Member Actors Equity Association since 1998.Personal: Fales lives in Salt Lake City where he helps raise his two children, attends to his magnet collection and his new, affirming Episcopal congregation, and exports his Oxy-Mormon work from the Rocky Mountains. Mormonboyprod@aol.com

What people are saying about STEVEN FALES:

“A knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark performance. Confronting the ‘demons’ within, and seemingly around him, and ending up such an inspiring example of true self-respect and authenticity left me deeply touched and equally inspired.” — Judith Light

"Steven Fales’s tale of his journey to self-acceptance made me want to jump up in the theatre and holler ‘Amen’!Mr. Fales is a master at his craft. His work is timely and of utmost importance in these days of religious-based intolerance."— Leslie Jordan

"It was wonderful-- the best gay coming-of-age, grappling-with-being piece I've seen since Dan Butler's, and you know there have been a thousand of them ever since his. It's really good."— Bruce Vilanch

"Steven Fales has captured the essence of the gay soul.”— John Duran, Mayor of West Hollywood

"When one can be so moved as to laugh till your jaw hurts, wince with a sorry recognition at the pain distorted religion can inflict, cheer with unashamed abandon at an enviable and inspiring bravery so rarely expressed in the face of certain banishment and ridicule, you know you have had a thrilling and emotionally fulfilling theatrical experience. Bravo, Steven Fales and his Mormon Boy!"— Lucie Arnaz

“Steven is a man of passion and integrity and this radiates out of him as he lives his life as a man of faith.As an ex-Mormon myself, I congratulate Steven for his courage and have no hesitation in recommending him and his story!”— Rev. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor, MCC LA

“Mormon Boy is a riveting night of theatre. Grounded in the specifics of his own colorful life, it transcends personal revelation by inviting the audience to consider larger issues—the costs of authenticity in a rigid and stratified world. He is a playwright whose work displays great moral courage and daring.”— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

"Steven Fales has taken an archetypal journey through real crucifixion to real resurrection, and he writes about it with great originality, wit, a searing and poignant nakedness, and a knowledge of redemption that will inspire all who come to his work. He is a writer to watch and to learn from."— Andrew Harvey, author Return of the Mother

"If you are interested in human truth expressed with heartbreaking honesty--and great joy and pride--then you do not want to miss Steven Fales."— Doric Wilson, Off-Broadway Legend

"Mormon Boy is an important contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the place of gay men and women in our churches, mosques, and synagogues."— Andrew Brewer, Chairman, Soulforce NYC

"I can’t imagine how many one-man/one-woman shows I’ve seen during my 20 plus years of work in the theatre. Mormon Boy took me somewhere I never could have imagined."— Richard-Jay Alexander, Director

“The subject matter of his performances and their powerful presentation manage to mix oil and water: to be at once intensely personal and broadly social, deeply moving and intellectually provocative, serious in content and genuinely entertaining. His tour de force one-man shows elude easy closure, but instead provoke questions that stay with the spectator long after he or she has left the theater.” –Bob Rosen, Dean Emeritus, UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Very Rev. Ray Walden, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Salt Lake City, Utah recently saw the entire THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY: Confessions of a Mormon Boy, Missionary Position, and Prodigal Dad. Here's what he had to say:

"If Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams had a child and that child married George Carlin, their offspring would be Steven Fales. His creative work takes us from the profane to the profound. As the Dean of a Cathedral, I have the rare privilege of walking with people as they journey through life. In Steven is found an extreme walk of life experience that he has crafted into redemptive lessons of laughter and tears of classical proportions and universal appeal."

Father Ray and St. Mark's is part of the Episcopal Church, part of the Anglican Communion (Anglo/Catholic or Church of England)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

I love March. It's my birthday month and the month when Spring begins. At least in my heart.

So far 2012 is off to a great start. January was a month to do a lot of work on my memoir "Mormon Boy". I still need to get that formal book proposal to my agent or these hundreds of pages will just sit here being re-written. 2012 is the year to take all my hard work during the Recession and put it into motion.

It's great to have my office to work from. It's one of the best things about being in Utah. I love my desk, my office, and having the tools I need to get things done from paper clips to my new printer. We are making progress.

Performance-wise, we've already tackled a lot. I did "Confessions of a Mormon Boy" at The Complex SLC the end of January. It went so extremely well. Even the Dean of the Cathedral (St. Mark's) came! Then February was a quick tour to Boston where I did a high school version of "Confessions" for the Phillips Academy Andover (which included students from Exeter and surrounding schools). This was a great honor. Phillips Academy was founded in 1778 and is one of the two most prestigious boarding schools in the country, maybe the world. Most of these students automatically get accepted into Harvard, MIT, etc. I performed and spoke for two hours for the oldest gay/straight alliance in the country. I still have to pinch myself. I want to do more public speaking and schools/university gigis.

I immediately flew to Houston, Texas for a week-long run at Theater Lab Houston. The run was sold out before we even opened. All kinds of press, beautiful audiences, great folks. I was treated like a star. I saw Galveston. (Got my magnet to add to my world-famous collection!) I can't speak more highly about what Gerald LaBita has created with his theatre company. Eve Ensler and Tim Miller have all performed on that stage. I felt so honored to be there.

Both Phillips Academy and Houston came from being at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last summer. Good work begets good work.

I came back to SLC and brushed off my second show "Missionary Position" and did it for two nights at The Complex SLC. I really needed to do this so I could get the show in my mind, body, and mouth before I do it in L.A.

I perform "Confessions" in Denver in two weeks, then off to work on "Prodigal Dad" with Larry Moss in New York City first week of April. Then back for a week in SLC. Then I perform the entire THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY for six weeks in Los Angeles at Hudson Theatre (www.plays411.com/mormonboy) Apr 19 - May 26.

Yesterday I was working on press and editing "Confessions of a Mormon Boy LIVE from London's West End." This is an album I will download digitially.

So many things on my plate. Here's a quick shout out to the many people in SLC who are making me feel at home. It's a challenging place for me to live. It's nice to not feel so alone.

And to top it off, I just spoke with my dear old friend Jack Hofsiss. Looking forward to reading "Prodigal Dad" to him when I'm in New York. His Tony Award-winning experience ("The Elephant Man") turned "Confessions" into an enduring piece of theatre. And he is a good friend. He knows my story better than anyone else. And he says to hang in there no matter what with "The Mormon Boy Trilogy". This is how any piece of art is born. Someone has to believe in it to the very end. "Naysayers, beware!" One day at a time we keep showing up, just like Sisyphus.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

So the 1970's brought us some ground-breaking self-help books. "Born to Win" and "The Road Less Travelled" were super-best-sellers in their day. I've been reading "The Road Less Travelled" and though I believe there to be some re-freshingly universal, timely truths, there are some gaping holes. We will probably look back on "The Power of Now" the same way. Just because Oprah endorses it, doesn't mean it is timeless or will endure forever . . . Obama? (I voted for Obama in 2008.)

What I am getting at is that the 12-step recovery movement is what seems to fill in the holes of our best self-help books and even our best religions. To not be informed by or conversant in the language of recovery is to be missing out on so much today. Overeaters Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous (the mother ship), Narcotics Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, Al-Anon and Co-Dependents Anonymous. All of these programs offer a practical spirituality and solution to very practical problems. Why do you think that after all these years of "perfection" the Mormon Church has adopted the 12-steps to try to meet the needs of members that were certainly not being met in the 1970's when my parents were in crisis! And why do you think Episcopal Churches (I'm Episcopalian today), lend their churches to AA meetings all over the world? It's not just Episcopalians in all their equality that have a problem with alcohol.

So here we are in 2012. If you haven't gotten up to speed and experienced the peace, the growth, the success, the honesty, or the fun . . . I suggest you take a look at what the 12-step world has to offer. I'm not trying to force this on anyone . . . but I am suggesting that maybe the 12-step world can work for you . . . when all else Fales. I think the world could use a little emotional, sexual, chemical, financial sobriety, don't you?

Oh, and if you haven't read a self-help book since "Born to Win", maybe you should update and shake things up a bit. Because the next generation has built upon those concepts and will leave you in the dust. And if you only think AA has the answers . . . well there have been hundreds of 12 Step Programs since 1935. It might be time to check one out, no matter how wise the supreme leader Bill W. and Dr. Bob are! Cheers! Oh! And if your psychiatrist hasn't suggested a 12-step program to you, ask yourself what he or she might be selling. 12-step work is basically free. Right, M. Scott Peck, MD and Deepak? (I don't think these empire-builder wants you to know that.)

Friday, January 13, 2012

I'm off to volunteer at Hildegard's Food Pantry in downtown Salt Lake City (sponsored by my church, St. Mark's Episcopal).

A year ago I was living in NYC basically starving. It was so cold. I was so broke. I was so desperate.

Today I have so many blessings. I kept inching toward my art and my kids.

I've been knocking out so much administrative stuff for Mormon Boy Productions. This "ta-dah" list game I play with myself works better that the "to-do" game.

So many blessings that sometimes I want to cry. I'm starting to remember how good sobriety can be. And that I cannot do this alone. When I do it alone, I starve spiritually AND physically.

"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invicible summer." That was said by Albert Camus. I am learning that I am worth spring and summer. Thank to everyone who picked me up when I was fall.

Monday, January 9, 2012

I had a very good weekend. Simple and calm and productive in Salt Lake City. Highlights of Saturday were working on my "Live from London" album. I think it could fit in the "Spoken Word" Grammy category as it is a bit serious for the comedy category. I had three performances of CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY recorded live in London at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Later I arranged to have a photo shoot with my friend Bryan Maynes. We are doing a "Mormon for All Seasons" kinda thing. We shot in the fall. And Yesterday we did a shoot with alll this snow that just fell. It's really just for fun but I think we might have a few real gems pop up. Maybe I should do a Mormon Boy Calendar for 2013! (I joked recently that we should have two MORMON BOY cologne scents: "Mormon Boy Urban and Mormon Boy Country". Eau de Mormon Boy. Check it out when it hits Macy's. Or is that just Cahootz in Salt Lake City. That tacky gay gift bookstore and lube dispensery!)

After the shoot we went for a late lunch at BUCA. My first time at this really delicious family Italian restaurant. The food and service were top notch. But I found the circular dining room with pictures of the Pope everywhere a little bit on the tacky side. Leave the Pope out of pasta. Stick to Sophia Loren and the Mafia when it comes to a restaurant. In a way, I'm sticking up for Catholicism.

I'm not voting for Gingrich, but I applauded when he said in the debates last night that there is an alarming amount of discrimination against Christianity going on and it is NOT reported by the media.

Saturday night I helped take down the Christmas decorations at my dear friend Nancy's place. It was a gig job. So with pizza and hot chocolate, we tackled the decorations as we watched the debates. Mitt Romney is once again bullet proof. Hunstman shined, too. So it all boils down to two accomplished, committed Mormons in my book. Gingrich has had more wives than the two Mormons on stage combined!

Sunday was also nice. I got up kinda late for me -- around 8:00am. I ordered a refill of my med. Then off to St. Mark's Epsiscopal. I love that cathedral. It was packed. This is a truly smart and sweet congregation. I converted in 2008. And this year, I'm experiencing how sweet and NICE people are. And as I continue to go to services, the mass brings more and more symbolism and story and grace and truth. My conversion has made a big difference in my life. My heart has softened in many ways. But also my ability to be me. Coffee hour became a lavish reception as a baby had been baptized during the service. Tons of food and conversation. Everyone wants to come see my show on the 20th. I try not to promote at church, but it happens FOR me by others.

I then worked out at Planet Fitness downtown. I weighed in at 183 lbs. I thought I was a bit less. But I retained my weight over the holidays. I'm pretty much back to my off-Broadway weight. I was down to 165 lbs. When that happens I start to look thin and old. I feel my confidence in body, mind, and spirit for the new year. I can DO this!

On top of it all, I booked DENVER yesterday for the end of March. Miracles all around! All I have to do is show up sober. And by the way, caught up with Julia Cameron and my sponsor Michelle yesterday. Phone was off for a few days . . . but we are all systems go for a new week and a new year!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

I'm up at 4:00am with so many things I want to say and write. But if I say some things honestly they will be seen as attacks. I know what it's like to be attacked from the super Left and the super Right. My last blog "Mormon Boy" was attacked so much on either side. It's a form of cyber bullying. Everyone today cries, "Bully!" The word is becoming as over-used as "Fabulous." Well, not that over used. So just a short blog post today because I don't want to expend energy on two different people that totally have rubbed me wrong in the media. And I don't want to reveal just how far left or right I'm feeling this early in the morning. I'll go make some coffee and then get to work. Lots of contracts to finish and lots of emails to send. The New Year brings incredible energy and freedom. Best to make the most of it, huh?

Confessions of a Mormon Boy returns to Salt Lake City on Friday, January 20th. From its sold-out world premiere in Salt Lake City, the play has gone on to critically acclaimed runs off Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse (directed by Tony Award Winner Jack Hofsiss, The Elephant Man), London’s West End at the Charing Cross Theatre, and in every major market in America and beyond, including the Edinburgh Festival and upcoming runs in Houston and Sao Paulo, Brazil (in Portuguese). It will be performed at the prestigious Phillips Academy Andover in February. The play is the subject of the upcoming documentary film Mormon Boy.

This 90-minute award-winning solo play recounts how Steven went from being the perfect Mormon boy in Utah to a high-priced call boy in New York City and how things got better once he found a middle ground. This provocative true story takes the audience from his Mormon mission to Portugal and temple marriage, through reparative therapy, excommunication, divorce, prostitution and crystal meth addiction as he struggles to reclaim his himself, his two children and his ‘Donny Osmond smile.’ Told with humor, song, and The Book of Mormon.

Says Fales, “This is my contribution to help end spiritual abuse and religious violence in our churches, mosques, and synagogues. It is also about how I first learned to stop being a victim, which transformed my life. It was originally written for my children.”

Steven Fales is the former son-in-law of celebrated Mormon poet Carol Lynn Pearson.

Steven Fales (playwright/performer) recently made his West End debut with Confessions of a Mormon Boy (Charing Cross Theatre) which he has performed at the Edinburgh Festival, off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse and Lincoln Center (Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance), International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (Oscar Wilder Award Nomination for Outstanding New Writing for the Theatre), New York International Fringe Festival (Overall Excellence Award for Solo Show), and across the US in acclaimed, sell-out runs including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Miami and Salt Lake City (just to name a few). Other runs are currently being scheduled for Australia, South Africa, Canada, and Brazil (in Portuguese). The book of the play was a Lambda Literary Award Finalist. A memoir, documentary, and album titled “Mormon Boy” are currently in development.

Confessions of a Mormon Boy is Part One in The Mormon Boy Trilogy which also includes Missionary Position (New York International Fringe Festival) and Who’s Your Daddy? (United Solo Festival in New York City).Other solo work includes CULT!, a cabaret act Mormon American Princess(Joe’s Pub NY) and Songs of My People, a stand up show When All Else Fales, an historical solo play Joseph III, and a solo drag comedy Conversations with Heavenly Mother: An Uncommon Diva. Other plays include Cleft, Sacred Strain, and two musicals Saltairand Meet the Mormons. His adaptation of Everyman called Kate and Co. was commissioned by the Waterford School.

A national leader in solo performance, he is the founder of The Solo Performance Alliance and teaches his workshop Flying Solo: How to Create and Produce Your Own Solo Work (or Any Work) all over the country. He has coached solo performers all over the world from L.A. to Norway.

Before turning to writing and solo performance, Steven worked in regional theatres and Shakespeare festivals across America (including Pioneer Theatre and Utah Shakespeare Festival) and has played leading roles such as Edmund in King Lear, Ferdinand in The Tempest, Dr. Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Buckingham in The Three Musketeers, Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath, Gerry in Dancing at Lughnasa, Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, Tony in The Boy Friend, Kodaly in She Loves Me, Tony in West Side Story. He has worked with such luminaries as Elaine Stritch, Len Cariou, Douglas Sills, Judy Kaye, Emily Loesser among others. He has also acted in television, film, and commercials. He is the founder of the Solo Performance Alliance and teaches workshops all over the country.

A member of Actors Equity Association , Steven first trained on scholarship at the Boston Conservatory. After serving as a Mormon missionary in Portugal for two years, he later transferred to Brigham Young University where he received a BFA in musical theatre and later his MFA in acting from the University of Connecticut. He has studied at the American Comedy Institute in New York and privately with acting coach Larry Moss.

Steven was born in Utah and raised in California and Las Vegas (where he was singing at Caesar’s Palace by the age of sixteen). He currently lives in Salt Lake City where he takes an active role in raising his two children and exports his oxy-Mormon work from his home in the Rocky Mountains. www.facebook.com/Fales.Steven, twitter @mormonboy, neverfales2@aol.com.

Reviews of Confessions of a Mormon Boy

“The stuff of great theatre.”

--Associated Press

“An exceptional achievement to rank beside the best of the solo genre.

I'm reading a book my dad's generation saw as one of the most important "self-help" books of the day, THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED. Published in 1978 I must say the book has some very good, mature, difficult things to say. In fact, the first sentence of the book starts out, "Life is difficult." Once you accept that, things get easier and the possibility exists for one to become truly mature and eventually truly loving. It requires discipline to become mature. It's hard work. It's difficult. (Once in a while he'll use an example that verges on sexism, racism, or homophobic and nearly offends my 2012 sensibilities. I'm looking for the wisdom in-between the lines. It's definitely out-dated socially, but some truths remain timeless. And I'm finding some real gems.)

At this point on my artistic and personal journey we've explored the good stuff, it's the hard stuff -- all the administrative stuff -- that will take things to the next level. I understand I'm creative. But without the disciplined hard work (and long-term continuous sobriety), things will not improve. So showing up and following through are the things I will continue to work on.

I see Julia Cameron has a new book out called THE PROSPEROUS HEART. I'm sure it has a lot to say about artists being fiscally mature and disciplined. But what does is say about ARTIST AS PRODUCER? I see artists all around me that retain the "poor me" attitude that keeps them from truly getting their creativity out there -- and thus, keeps them from earning at what they love to do.

Today I'm focussed on the Salt Lake City run of CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY on Jan 20th, Phillips Academy Andover on Feb 5th, and Theatre Lab Houston on Feb 8-12th. We've got MISSIONARY POSITION brewing for late February in Salt Lake City. Still working on Sao Paulo, Brazil run in March. April/May brings THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY to Los Angeles at the Hudson Theatre. Just began negotiations for a Denver run later this year. There's the off-Broadway run of THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY in the fall. Hoping to do it in London later this summer . . .

I've got a Kickstarter campaign about to start for MORMON BOY documentary. I'm working with my co-producer/director/editor for MORMON BOY COOKING SHOW pilot. And the book proposal for MORMON BOY A Memoir is slowly materializing. Need to edit the audio CD "book" of CONFESSIONS LIVE FROM LONDON (Charing Cross Theatre).

Just emailed with my designer for CONVERSATIONS WITH HEAVENLY MOTHER: An Uncommon Diva about the the dress. And there's stand up to continue to write for WHEN ALL ELSE FALES . . .

So if all of this seems impossible . . . it is. Unless I chip away at it with discipline each morning.

I'm on THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED. And even though my dad might not like what I'm writing and producing, I watched and listened as I saw him work hard in my youth. My dad had discipline if nothing else. Thanks for the passion and talent, mom, that I can back up with dad's discipline. I am grateful to be me. I'm looking forward to having a partner someday who can appreciate me. And I'm learning to be the kind of person that will appreciate HIM.

Note to kids: Sorry I get on your case sometimes. Inspite of my faults, I want you to have discipline, too. Once you graduate from high school, I will stand back. But until then, it's my job to be your dad, not just your friend. I won't be just a Disneyland Dad. I love you.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

As I continue to establish my office in the midst of the Rocky Mountains there are many things I still need. If you have any of these items you would like to buy or donate, please let me know. These things add up quickly.

I am so glad to be home in Cottonwood Heights where I can sleep in my own bed, cook in my own kitchen, work from my own desk in my own office. "The best thing you've done in the last ten years, dad, is get this apartment!" That's what my son told me last fall. And it's true. An artist cannot exist long without a proper place to call home. I've sacrificed a lot to pay traveling dues. I sacrificed my sanity! And so things are calming down. The cities are magical. I need them. But they are relentlessly manic. One must be able to get away.

That was my graduate school formula. I was living with my little family in Storrs, Connecticut while going to graduate schoool. I could drive into Hartford or New Haven. And then an hour north to Boston or two hours South to New York. I could get away to the city and work hard and play hard, but then return home. I love the country quiet. Now to find civilazation I just hop on a flight an hour or two east or west. I need the rural and urban balance. Too much urban and I begin to lose myself trying to keep up . . . and then I'm susceptible to my demons. (Although I could call the "Utah" voices demons, not just the "Chelsea" voices.)

My dear friend Julia Cameron ("The Artist's Way") and I talk frequently on the phone. She recently moved back to Santa Fe while I moved here to Salt Lake City. We both love getting away from it all. New Mexico and Utah both have it's mountain and desert charm.) But we both lament the challenges. Sometimes people in the smaller towns don't "get" her. Same with me. And so it can feel lonely here in a more provincial environment. But that is when you book a flight for an outside gig and get away to feel the thrill of connecting with other artists! Then I return to my hovel to report and write.

It's going to be a great day. My canteen is filled! So many projects to have fun with and accomplish. Psst! Looks like that pilot for THE MORMON BOY COOKING SHOW is still in the works. It's going to be so much fun!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

I am amazed at the beauty of recovery. I'm grateful I was able to meet with so many new and old faces in recovery here in Los Angeles. It helped me renew my committment.

Addiction is an illness, a disease if you will. But there is solution. It's physical and spiritual. Don't use or drink or sex or drug or eat . . . whatever the compulsion is. And increase your spiritual life.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Yesterday started off with a great meeting with a theatre company about co-producing THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY in Los Angeles in April/May. Very exciting to potentially work with real theatre professionals here in Los Angeles.

Then a really good date at the Grove last night with a very cool and creative guy.

Los Angeles has been kind to me in the past even when I wasn't kind to it. I'm looking forward to a great working relationship with L.A. now that my learning curve is done and the honeymoon is over.

Off to see my sponsor in Hollywood now. 20 years sober. I'm in good hands. It's good to have someone to run things by . . . but I have certainly learned that ultimately it is up to me and my H.P.

Monday, January 2, 2012

I'm here in Long Beach staying with my friend Audrey. Got lots of great sleep last night. My cold is nearly gone. Just don't want to stress myself too much. I have my first "date" in a long time tonight. I'm on the broke side post-Christmas. Okay, I'm flat broke! Lots of emails to get out, lots of things to put into motion. Looking at possibly doing THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY at The Hudson Theatre on Santa Monica Blvd in April or May. They seem enthusiastic to discuss the possibility since they saw CONFESSIONS at the Coast Theatre several years ago. Cool. It's been good to see so many friendly faces and feel the sunshine of Southern California. But I am very anxious to get back to my home and office and my kids in Salt Lake City. It is a really great place to base. There is no sophistication there, but there is also no distraction. There's a lot of wholesomeness if you look beyond the opression. I have the urban t-shirts. I can get things done in Salt Lake. My prediction for Iowa tomorrow: Romney will win. Please let him win. It will help my career! :) Which will help the economy, right? Cheers!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

There comes a time in every creative's journey when they must make a major choice after their first big success. My first success was the off-Broadway run of my first one-man show "Confessions of a Mormon Boy." The choice I had to make was either to stop and wrap it all up or keep going. In the midst of some huge personal and financial set backs in the last few years, my choice was to keep going. The choice wasn't always deliberate or clear. I made it intuitively little by little, sacrifice by sacrifice, inch by inch. But I am so glad I made the choice to continue. I am now poised for bigger things to come.

I've created so much artistically: new solo plays, new songs, new poems, new books, new plays, etc. When you are down and out, create! And for me that means write. I am so glad I decided not to change careers and go into real estate or simply teach, I decided to continue a career I chose when I was in high school. And I'm so grateful for the mentors and "believing mirrors" I met along the way who kept inspiring me to continue in the midst of so many "Utah" voices that would have had me give up on my dreams long ago. Most of those "Utah" voices came from family (immediate, in-laws, and out-laws), other blocked creatives, and old "church" voices--not to mention the voices within that would say, "You're too old, sick, untalented, poor, bad, wrong, ugly, grandiose, etc."

So I'm amassing a body of work. 2012 is the year for getting it out there in a bigger, brighter way. 2012 is the year to be a businessman. I have let the poet have free reign for several years. That, too, was a choice. To put the artistic above the administrative. Now it is time to take the poet by the hand and lead him to financial freedom. I have a vision board of all kinds of projects up on my office wall and a business plan ready to put into action.

I'm grateful for the creative journey. I never knew the ups and downs could be this up and down. But now that I've experienced both, I think I can navigate what lies ahead. I have a VISION of what is possible having worked in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Time to spin it all from the Rocky Mountains where I have calm and kids. More will be revealed as I back up my faith with hard work and discipline. And then to export it on a national and global level.

I've started the New Year from Los Angeles where I've been inspired by so many friends and the openness and optimism that only comes from the West. Anchored with substance and dues paid back East, I'm gonna find much success in 2012. Off to attend Church at MCC LA. I cannot do this alone. I need affirming friends, affirming family, and an affirming God. Non-affirming is not welcome this year. I welcome only affirmation in 2012. And don't worry, 2012 will be a whole new level of personal and professional accountability as well. Like so many, I have lots of debts to pay. And let me just add, there will be lots of love to make this year as well! This is a year to date as well as create! And the plan is to do it sober, one day at a time.